Eight parents appeared at Cardiff Magistrates' Court today as one apologised for her daughter's 10% school attendance record

Parents have been punished for failing to make their children attend school, just days after the Welsh Government announced tough new measures to tackle absence rates.

Cardiff Magistrates’ Court saw eight parents charged with the aggravated offence of knowing their child is failing to attend school regularly and failing, without justification, to cause their child to attend.

Among those prosecuted was Tanya Moseley, 45, of Bishopston Road, Ely, whose 14-year-old daughter is registered at Glyn Derw High School.

The court heard her daughter had made 46 school attendances out of 98 school openings during the autumn term and that Mrs Moseley had received numerous visits from the school’s education welfare officer.

She added that the teenager had attended just five out of 48 school sessions since April 15, resulting in an attendance record of 10%.

Ms Moseley, whose daughter was absent from school while her mother was at court, said: “I am really sorry. I do everything I can to keep her in school – I’m not really sure what else I can do.”

She said her daughter had missed lessons due to ill health and suggested her younger cousin, who had recently starting attending the same school, led her into “trouble”.

Ms Moseley was discharged conditionally for 12 months and ordered to pay costs of £35 and a victim surcharge of £15.

Sentencing, chairman of the bench Andrew Davies told her: “You have got to get this sorted because otherwise, you will just be back in court again. For what it is worth, I would have a stern word with your daughter.”

Meanwhile, parent Mark Fernandes, 45, of Bishopston Road, Ely, was fined £40 for allowing his 15-year-old daughter to play truant from Michaelston Community College. The court heard she had an attendance record of 57%.

Also charged was Serena Prosser, 33, of Caerau Lane, whose 15-year-old daughter also attends Glyn Derw High School. Ms Prosser denied the charge and the case was adjourned for trial on July 26.

The 1996 Education Act makes it clear parents must ensure children of school age receive a full-time and regular education.

According to official figures, the average truancy rate for secondary schools in Wales in 2011/12 was 1.4%. Nine local education authorities (LEA) had higher rates, with the worst being Cardiff at 2.7%.

Earlier in the week, Wales’ education minister Leighton Andrews announced new fixed penalties, coming into the force this September, which could see parents of persistent truants fined up to £120.